Garment carrier in the form of a convertible counter/garment bag

ABSTRACT

The garment carrier is convertible to function as a counter bag, in a first orientation, and a garment bag for use with a hanger with a hook portion, in a second orientation. The main section of the carrier includes a relatively large garment receiving opening at one end and a relatively small hanger hook portion receiving opening at the other end. A zipper is provided to permit insertion and removal of garments. Drawstrings are provided for closing the garment receiving opening of the main section. The zipper intersects the plane of the drawstrings. The drawstrings include first and second separate drawstring sections. Each of the sections has an end anchored to the main section. The anchor points are proximate the garment receiving opening, at respective points on opposite sides of the zipper, such that the zipper does not interfere with the operation of the drawstrings. The carrier also has an extendable section which depends from the main section and is movable between a position within the main section, when the carrier functions as a counter bag, and a position outside the main section, when the carrier functions as a garment bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carriers for transporting garments from customers to dry cleaning establishments and back to customers, and more particularly to an improved garment carrier in the form of a bag that is convertible to function as a counter bag in one orientation and a garment bag in a second orientation.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Dry cleaning establishments often provide the service of collecting soiled garments from customers and returning the garments to the customers after they are processed by the dry cleaner. Those establishments commonly provide the customer with a large fabric bag, known as a counter bag, in which the customer places the garments that require processing by the dry cleaner.

The dry cleaner picks up the counter bag with the soiled garments from the customer and brings it back to the establishment where the garments are removed from the bag and processed. After the garments are processed, the dry cleaner hangs the processed garments on a hanger and places a thin transparent disposable plastic bag over the processed garments for protection during transport back to the customer.

A conventional counter bag has a wide opening to permit the garments to be easily inserted into and removed from the bag. A drawstring encircles the bag proximate the opening. The drawstring is provided to close the opening of the bag during transport so that the garments cannot accidentally fall out of the bag and become lost or damaged.

The drawstring is commonly held in place within a channel proximate to and surrounding the opening of the bag. The channel may be formed by folding the fabric of the bag over and sewing the free end of the fold to the body of the bag. The channel is interrupted at one point so a portion of the drawstring can extend outside the channel and be grasped by the user. That enables the user to pull the exposed portion of the drawstring in a direction away from the bag to close the opening.

Garment bags are known in the art. A garment bag is a fabric bag that is large enough and shaped appropriately to at least partially cover one or more garments supported on a hanger. The garment bag has a small opening at the top through which the hook portion of the hanger extends, when the hanging garments are placed in the bag. It may have an open or a closed bottom.

A conventional garment bag often has a zipper extending along a substantial portion of its length. The zipper permits the hanging garments to be easily inserted into and removed from the bag.

A garment bag could be used by the dry cleaner to protect processed garments as they are transported back to a customer, instead of the conventional disposable plastic bags. A garment bag would offer greater protection for the processed garments than the disposable plastic bags. Moreover, the use of a garment bag in that manner would be ecologically friendly as it would eliminate the use of many disposable plastic bags.

However, fabric garment bags are much too expensive for a single use. Further, they would have to be collected from the customer by the dry cleaner for reuse after the customer has removed the garments. That would mean many extra trips by the dry cleaner to the customer which would waste fuel, lead to more vehicle maintenance and require additional labor.

Accordingly, a single garment carrier was developed to function both as a counter bag and as a garment bag. That carrier can be use to transport garments from the customer to the dry cleaner and also to return the processed garments to the customer from the dry cleaner. Thus, the single carrier serves both purposes. Further, it is ecologically friendly in that it eliminates the use of disposable plastic bags and at the same time does not require a separate trip by the dry cleaner to retrieve the bag from the customer after the processed garments are removed.

The carrier functions as a counter bag, when used in a first orientation, and as a garment bag, designed for use with a hanger with a hook portion, when used in a second orientation. In general, the convertible carrier consists of a flexible fabric bag-like main section and an extendible section. The main section has a large garment receiving opening at one end and a small hanger hook portion receiving opening at the other end. The extendible section extends from the portion of the main section proximate the garment receiving opening and is movable between a position within the main section, when the carrier functions as a counter bag, and a position outside the main section, to extend the main section to more fully protect the processed garments, when the carrier functions as a garment bag.

A drawstring is provided proximate the garment receiving opening of the main section. The drawstring surrounds the carrier and functions in a conventional manner to close the garment receiving opening of the main section when it is used as a counter bag.

In the first orientation, with extendible section situated within the main section and the garment receiving opening located at the top, the carrier functions as a counter bag. Soiled garments are placed in the main section through the garment receiving opening and the drawstring is used to close the garment receiving opening during transport to the dry cleaner.

In the second orientation, with the extendible section situated outside of the main section and the hanger hook portion receiving opening is located at the top, the carrier functions as a garment bag. The processed garments are placed on a hanger. The carrier is then placed over the hanging garments and the hook portion of the hanger is received through the hanger hook portion receiving opening. In this way, the processed garments are protected as they are transported by the dry cleaner back to the customer.

After the customer receives the processed garments, the garments are removed from the carrier, the extendible section is folded back into the main section, and the orientation of the carrier is reversed so that the garment receiving opening is located at the top. The customer puts the next batch of soiled garments into the carrier and it is once again ready for pick up by the dry cleaner.

The above described carrier works very well as a two way carrier for the customer as well as for the dry cleaner. The only drawback relates to the difficulty of getting the garments in and out of the carrier when the carrier functions as a garment bag. The dry cleaner must insert the processed garments into the carrier. The customer must remove the processed garments from the carrier. However, unlike many conventional garment bags, the carrier has no zipper which facilitates access to the interior of the carrier.

Incorporating a zipper into the carrier is not possible in the conventional convertible carrier because the zipper, in order to be long enough to facilitate garment insertion and removal, would intersect the plane of the drawstring. Hence, the zipper would interfere with the function of the drawstring because the drawstring encircles the entire bag proximate the garment receiving opening.

It is therefore a prime object of the present invention to provide an improved garment carrier capable of functioning as a counter bag and as a garment bag for use in two way transport between a dry cleaner and a customer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment carrier in the form of a convertible counter/garment bag that allows for easy insertion and removal of garments.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment carrier in the form of a convertible counter/garment bag that includes a zipper for easy access as well as a drawstring.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment carrier in the form of a convertible counter/garment bag with improved access that is ecologically friendly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In general, the above objects are achieved by the present invention which is a garment carrier convertible to function as a counter bag, in a first orientation, and a garment bag for use with a hanger with a hook portion, in a second orientation. The carrier has a main section which includes a relatively large garment receiving opening at one end and a relatively small hanger hook portion receiving opening at the other end.

A zipper is provided to permit insertion and removal of garments from the carrier. Drawstring means are provided in a plane for closing the garment receiving opening of the main section. The zipper intersects the plane of the drawstring means.

The drawstring means includes first and second drawstring sections. Each of the first and second drawstring sections has an end anchored to the main section. The anchor points are proximate the garment receiving opening, at respective points on opposite sides of the zipper, such that the zipper does not interfere with the operation of the drawstring means.

Preferably, the drawstring means is situated in a channel. The channel is provided with an opening on the opposite side of the main section from the zipper. The non-anchored ends of the strings extend outwardly from the channel opening.

The carrier also includes an extendable section. The extendable section depends from the main section and is movable between a position within the main section, when the carrier functions as a counter bag, and a position outside the main section, when the carrier functions as a garment bag. Preferably, the zipper extends into the extendible section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a garment carrier in the form of a convertible counter/garment bag as set forth in detail in the following specification as is recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrier showing the carrier in the counter bag orientation with the extendible portion situated within the main portion;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier similar to FIG. 1 showing the carrier with the drawstring drawn to close the garment receiving opening;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier similar to FIG. 1 showing the extendible portion being folded outside the main section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carrier in the garment bag orientation with the zipper open and an exploded garment on a hanger aligned to be received within the carrier;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carrier seen from the opposite side as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged local perspective cut away view of the section of the carrier within the dashed circle of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of the carrier taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional perspective view of the carrier taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the garment carrier of the present invention, generally designated A, in its counter bag orientation. As seen in FIG. 1, carrier A consists of a bag-like main section 10, preferably made of fabric, plastic or other flexible material. Main section 10 includes a relatively large garment receiving opening 12 at one end (the top in this orientation) and a relatively small hanger hook portion receiving opening 14 (not visible in this figure) at the other end (the bottom in this orientation).

Drawstring means 18 are provided to close opening 12, as seen in FIG. 2. The drawstring means encircle carrier A proximate opening 12. Preferably, the drawstring means are situated within a channel 18. Channel 18 may be formed by folding a flap of material adjacent the edge defining opening 12 over and sewing the free end of the flap to the body of the carrier. Channel 18 is provided with an opening 20 through which a portion of the drawstring means 14 extends. A bead 20 may be provided on the exposed portion of the drawstring means to facilitate grasping of the drawstring means.

In this orientation, with opening 12 open wide as shown in FIG. 1, the customer inserts garments bound for the dry cleaner. The customer then closes the carrier by pulling the drawstring means 16, as shown in FIG. 2. The carrier, with the garments to be processed therein, is now ready for transport to the dry cleaner.

Once at the dry cleaner, the carrier is opened and the garments removed for processing. As seen in FIG. 3, once the carrier is emptied, an extendible section 24, one end of which is attached to the interior surface of main section 10 adjacent opening 12, is folded outwardly of main section 10 and the carrier is reoriented as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Section 24 is preferably made of the same material as main section 10 and is movable between a position within main section 10, as seen in FIG. 1, and a position outside of main section 10, as seen in FIG. 4. In the latter position, section 24 functions as an extension of section 10 such that the overall length of the carrier is extended to protect longer garments.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a zipper 26 is provided to facilitate insertion and removal of garments from the carrier. In that figure, zipper 26 is shown in its open state. A pair of pants 28 on a hanger 30 with a hook portion 32 are shown as exploded from the carrier. Also shown is a strap 34 attached to the carrier which is useful for carrying the carrier over the shoulder.

A pocket 33 on the front surface of the carrier is visible in this figure. Pocket 33 is provided as a means to transport to the customer the dry cleaner's invoice for the processing of the garments within the carrier. Pocket 33 preferably has a transparent window so the customer can readily see the invoice.

FIG. 5 shows the rear of the carrier as the carrier would appear oriented for use as a garment bag. In this view, the hanging pants 28 are situated within the carrier, as evidenced by the hook portion 32 of the hanger which extends through opening 14 at the top of the carrier. This figure also shows that opening 20 in channel 18, through which drawstring means 16 extends, is located on the opposite side of the carrier from zipper 26.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate in greater detail how drawstring means 16 is attached to the carrier so as not to interfere with the operation of the zipper. Unlike the drawstring of the prior art convertible bag which consists of a single continuous drawstring that surround the bag, drawstring means 16 of the present invention consists of two separate drawstrings 16a and 16b. One end of each drawstring is anchored to the carrier. Those ends of the drawstrings are anchored to the carrier at locations proximate to but spaced a short distance from opposite sides of the zipper.

The drawings illustrate in detail how the end of one of each of the drawstrings is anchored to the carrier. The end of the other drawstring is anchored to the carrier in the same manner but on the opposite side of the zipper.

As seen in the figures, drawstring 16 a has an end that is anchored to the carrier within channel 18 by a stitch line 36. The anchor point (stitch line 36) is located a short distance from zipper 26, as seen in FIG. 6. The other drawstring 16 b is anchored to the carrier within channel 18 in the same manner by a similar stitch line (not shown) which is spaced a short distance from the other side of zipper 26.

By anchoring the ends of the drawstrings at locations spaced from either side of the zipper, the drawstrings do not interfere with the operation of the zipper. Thus, the zipper can intersect the plane of the drawstrings without interfering with the function thereof.

The non-anchored ends of drawstrings 16 a and 16 b extend out opening 20 of channel 18 and are connected together by a bead 22, is illustrated in the drawings. This permits the drawstrings to be pulled away from the carrier to close opening 12.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to is a garment carrier convertible to function as a counter bag, in a first orientation, and as a garment bag for use with a hanger with a hook portion, in a second orientation. The carrier consists of a bag-like main section. The main section has a relatively large garment receiving opening at one end and a relatively small hanger hook portion receiving opening at the other end.

A zipper is provided to permit insertion and removal of garments from the carrier. Drawstring means are provided for closing the garment receiving opening. The zipper intersects the plane of the drawstring means.

The drawstring means includes first and second string sections. Each of the first and second string sections has an end anchored to the main section. The anchor points are proximate the garment receiving opening, at respective points on opposite sides of the zipper, such that the zipper does not interfere with the operation of the drawstring means.

The carrier also includes an extendable section. The extendable section depends from the main section and is movable between a position within the main section, when the carrier functions as a counter bag, and a position outside the main section to extend the length thereof, when the carrier functions as a garment bag. Preferably, the zipper extends into the extendible section.

While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. 

1. A garment carrier functioning as a counter bag, in a first orientation, and as a garment bag for use with a hanger with a hook portion, in a second orientation, said carrier comprising a main section including a relatively large garment receiving opening at one end and a relatively small hanger hook portion receiving opening at the other end, a zipper, drawstring means situated in a plane for closing said garment receiving opening, said zipper intersecting said plane of said drawstring means, said drawstring means comprising first and second drawstring sections, each of said first and second drawstring sections having an end anchored to said main section at a separate anchor point, said anchor points being situated proximate said garment receiving opening, on opposite sides of said zipper, such that said zipper does not interfere with the operation of said drawstring means.
 2. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a channel, wherein said first and second drawstrings are situated within said channel.
 3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein said channel is provided with an opening on the opposite side of said main section from said zipper and wherein the non-anchored ends of said drawstrings extend outwardly from said channel opening.
 4. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising an extendable section depending from said main section and movable between a position within said main section, when the carrier functions as a counter bag, and a position outside said main section, when the carrier functions as a garment bag.
 5. The carrier of claim 4 wherein said zipper extends into said extendible section. 